Found this nice old Scottish button.. any ideas?

[grasshopper]

I found this gold (plated?) button at an old house on lake champlain. I was searching the site of a late 18th century block house that was also used as a jail and courthouse. The button reads Berwickshire LM on the front with the motto "nemo me impune lacessit" in the inner circle. If you Google this phrase it shows that it was the motto for some canadian/British regiments and the badge seal shown is the same that is on my button. However I cannot find any examples of it that would indicate age or rarity... Back reads: Gibson Thomas and craig Edinburgh. Any information would be appreciated. I will post better pics when I have access to my good camera and computer... Doing this from my phone. Also pictured is this tag thing I found with a silver colored insert. No idea what it is but It rang up in the high 80s/ silver range.

 

[Iron Patch]

Very nice button. I didn't search the mark, but construction puts it early 1800s. I would think it's a British militia button, and the LM likely stands for local militia. Probably not one that would have much interest in the US, but no doubt quite collectible to the right person in the UK.

 

[Mackaydon]

Actually, the back reads "Gibson, Thomson (not Thomas) and Craig".
You may wish to alter your search accordingly.
Don........
Edit: They are listed in the1805 Edinburgh Post Office Annual Directory: Full text of "Post-Office Annual directory"

 

[Mackaydon]

Taking a closer look at the front, I notice the image is that of a Scottish thistle. I wrote about this image in the Dec. 23, 2010 (8:32 AM) post on this thread: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/211813-mystery-badge-wow.html
Don.......

 

[grasshopper]

Thanks for the info guys... I've found the front design as mentioned to be the Scottish thistle or whatever it is, but can't find any relation to berwickshire.

 

[Mackaydon]

Berwickshire is one of the ancient counties of Scotland.

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks for the info guys... I've found the front design as mentioned to be the Scottish thistle or whatever it is, but can't find any relation to berwickshire.

If mine, I would google and find a museum or two in Berwickshire and send them an email. The button is probably from a small militia and is why you can't find much on it on the net. There was a very large number of small units in Britain during that time, and because they were small the buttons never seem to be very common.